Chester 2 arrived at Powderhouse Lane on the back of a tremendous 2017/18 season having swept all before them and achieving a league and cup double and they would obviously present a strong challenge for a Vale of Lune squad, which because of first team call-ups, contained a number of unfamiliar names.
Eventually a squad of 17 players was assembled with Jordan Fern being pitch forked into the role of scrum half for the first time in his rugby career. Jordan, like the rest of those around him, helped to produce a great team performance.
Vale were under pressure straight from the kick off with winger Scott scoring out wide for Chester in the sixth minute. A pacey Chester side pinned the Vale down and they went further ahead in the eleventh minute when Tom Jones crossed for another unconverted try.
Adam Macluskie played courageously throughout and set a fine example but Chester increased their lead on the half hour mark with a try scored and converted by Kendall.
Vale were forced to go to uncontested scrums but under the laws had take a player off, a situation which allowed Chester a little more time and space to conjure up a try from Tom Jones converted by Kendall to complete the first half scoring.
It had been an energy sapping half but alongside Adam Macluskie, Steve Tagg, Harry Vause, Bobby Holdbrook, Callum Kyle all helped to shore up the barricades against determined Chester attacks.
Chester increased their lead in the forty fifth minute with a Kendall try before Bobby Holdbrook used his power and pace to break through the visitor’s defence but he completed one forward role too many for the referee’s liking.
Further Chester tries came courtesy of Kendall and Scott but so under the circumstances the Vale were prepared to carry the game to Chester whenever a situation presented itself. Vale’s centre, Petar Alexov caused problems for Chester with some penetrating runs but the Vale were unable to break down a pretty watertight defence.
Scott Manning used the resources available sensibly, even persuading Matt Field to go into the front row and because the scrums were uncontested he would not subjected to further aggravating of his neck injury.
Chester’s Tom Croft and Al Reed pushed the total over sixty points before the Vale’s efforts were rewarded when Steve Tagg touched down, to loud applause from a large crowd, for a try after the forwards and backs had combined.
Not to be outdone Chester came back with a try from Al Reed converted by Kendall at the conclusion of a game expertly refereed by Mike Walker.
Chester are clearly going to a force to be reckoned with and would appear to be targeting another double under Carl van Onselen’s stewardship, in the meantime the Vale have a week off before facing testing home games against Caldy and Sale.
Vale 2: S Tagg, T Thatcher, E Mason; B Holdbrook, H Vause; M Henderson, A Newton, C Kyle; J Fern, A Macluskie; A Bolton, P Alexov, R Fawcett, A Batson; E Robertson; C Wilson, M Field.
A big thank you to Fred Swarbrick for finding the time to send me a report of the fixture.